Using Flashcards and Apps to learn faster

 Your smart guide to memorizing English words easily and effectively

Learning English vocabulary can feel like climbing a mountain—but with the right tools, that climb becomes a fun and exciting journey. One of the best ways to learn new words and remember them long-term is by using flashcards and vocabulary apps.

In this lesson, you'll learn:

• ✅ Why flashcards work for vocabulary learning

• ✅ How to create powerful flashcards

• ✅ The best apps for learning English words

• ✅ Practical tips to study faster and smarter

• ✅ Real examples of vocabulary flashcards

📌 Why Flashcards Help You Learn Faster

Flashcards use active recall, spaced repetition, and visual memory—three powerful methods to boost your vocabulary learning.

Using Flashcards and Apps to learn English faster. Image by Englishconv.com

What is Active Recall?

When you look at one side of a flashcard and try to remember the answer (without looking), your brain works harder to recall the word. This makes your memory stronger.

What is Spaced Repetition?

You don’t study the same word every day. Instead, you review it just before you forget it. This helps your brain store the word in long-term memory.

🧠 Fun Fact: Spaced repetition can double the amount of vocabulary you remember after a few months.

✨ How to Make Effective Flashcards

To make great flashcards, keep them simple, clear, and useful.

1. One word or phrase per card

✅ Good:
Front: “delicious”
Back: (adj.) very tasty – “This pizza is delicious!”

❌ Bad:
Front: “delicious, tasty, yummy, flavorful”
Back: “All mean the same.”

Too much info = hard to remember.

2. Add an example sentence

Examples help you understand how to use the word.

✅ Example:
Word: confused
Meaning: (adj.) not sure what is happening
Sentence: “I was confused by the instructions.”

3. Add a picture or icon

Pictures make words easier to remember. Many apps support images, or you can draw your own if you're using paper flashcards.

📱 Best Apps to Learn Vocabulary with Flashcards

These apps are loved by English learners around the world:

1. Anki

A powerful, free app using spaced repetition. Great for serious learners. You can even download pre-made English decks.

• 💡 Use: Create cards or download English vocab decks

• ✅ Best for: Intermediate to advanced learners

• 💻 Platform: iOS, Android, Desktop

2. Quizlet

Easy to use, fun flashcards with images and audio. Great for beginners too!

• 💡 Use: Search for “English Vocabulary” sets or create your own

• 🎮 Bonus: Play vocabulary games like Match and Gravity

• 💻 Platform: iOS, Android, Web

3. Memrise

Teaches vocabulary with videos and native speaker audio. Uses spaced repetition automatically.

• 🎧 Includes real-life videos of people saying the word

• 💬 Learn how words are used in context

• 💻 Platform: iOS, Android, Web

🧪 Practice Activity: Try These Flashcards

Try learning these 5 common English adjectives using flashcards.

Word	Meaning	Example Sentence
excited	feeling happy and eager	“She’s excited about her new job.”
tired	needing rest or sleep	“I feel tired after work.”
friendly	kind and nice to others	“The staff were very friendly.”
boring	not interesting	“This movie is boring.”
busy	having a lot to do	“He’s too busy to take a break.”

📌 Tip: Try making a flashcard for each one. Use a picture, the meaning, and a sentence example!

🔁 How to Study Flashcards Effectively

Here are smart ways to use flashcards for faster results:

⏱️ 1. Study a little every day

10–15 minutes per day is better than one long study session once a week.

🎯 2. Use the “look, think, flip” method

• Look at the front of the card

• Think of the answer

• Flip and check
  This activates your memory!

🔁 3. Review old flashcards often

Don’t just study new words—go back and review old ones to keep them fresh.

📅 4. Use spaced repetition (SRS)

Apps like Anki and Memrise do this automatically. They show hard words more often and easy ones less often.

🌟 Final Tips for Success

• ✅ Choose words you see often in English books, movies, or conversation

• ✅ Keep your flashcards short and simple

• ✅ Use apps to make studying more fun and organized

• ✅ Review regularly and test yourself

• ✅ Practice speaking and writing the new words

📥 Free Download: English Flashcard Template

Want to create your own flashcards easily?
🎁 Click here to download a printable flashcard template (PDF)

🔚 In Summary

Flashcards and vocabulary apps are your best friends in learning English vocabulary faster. With a little time every day and the right method, you’ll be surprised how much you can remember—and how confident you’ll feel speaking English!